I‘m having a very hard time getting my five year old son to learn to write his name.?

Question

I‘m having a very hard time getting my five year old son to learn to write his name.(Nathan) I have tried everything and I’m really at a loss. He will be starting kindergarten in August and he has to know this before he can go also he has to learn to write his numbers 1-10. He is extremely good at counting he can count to 60 but I can’t get him to write a one. He switches back and forth between what hand he wants to use. One day it may be his left hand the next day the right hand. He is hyper and does not like to sit long. I’m just worried that when he and his twin sister go for testing that he will not be able to attend this year and his sister will be. Any help I would appreciate. Thank You

The school district that we live in the children must know how to write their names before they can attend, when I was in kindergarten that is were I learned to write my name. I guess it has changed.

Answer 1

Don't go right to a pencil. Start with his hands. I'd get shower paints (can get at the super market or art store)or put some shaving cream on a cookie sheet and show him how to write his name and numbers. He'll have fun with it and doesn't have to sit down to do it. It's much easier for a child to learn through tactile situations first (using hands) before going right to a writing utensil. He'll also be able to figure out which hand is more comfortable for him to write with. Does he know how to spell his name? If not, i'd put it to some kind of beat or tune to help him remember. Once he get the hang of the shower paints/shaving cream, then give him a pencil. See if you can find a thick one or if you can find a pencil grip. It'll help him control it. Have him trace the letters on big lined paper and eventually work up to him writing it on his own. Maybe set up a sticker chart and give him one every day after practicing and at the end of the week he gets to do something special. He'll get the hang of it with lots of praise, practice and some time. I did all this with both of my sons before the started kindergarten, one who was ADHD. It works wonders. Best wishes and good luck! =]

Answer 2

My daughter really struggled with writing, she hated anything except markers. I got her the triangular pencil grips, they showed her how to hold it properly and it made a HUGE difference in her attitude. There are other shaped grips but I think they are more confusing. I just searched triangle pencil grips. My mom used them on me as a kid and I am 34 so I know they are around and if you live in a bigger city you might find them at a learning store.
Also have him practice it 3 or 4 times a day, it does not need to be a lot it just needs to be every day. Then in a week or two, show him the first one he did, that really helped encourage my daughter to see how much progress she made.
I also dot to dotted her name for a while before having her do it on her own. It also helps if you write it once so he has a visual of what it should look like. And you just have to tell him if you don't sit here and do this then you loose____ whatever will be effective on him. It is not really punishment, but part of school/learning is doing what your told even if you don't want too. And once my daughter got a little better it was not such a fight. And I also firmly believe that it should be consistency over quantity at this age, have him do 5 or 6 times, but be sure he does it every day, even weekends, you will be amazed at how fast they progress if it is worked on daily. And even if it is not very legible at first, praise him for his hard work and tell you are proud he tried.
I would reccomend once he has mastered his name have him work on the rest of the alphabet and use the dot to dot method for that also.
Where we live they move quickly in kindergarten, having only one week per letter to learn the sound and how to write the upper and lower case.

Answer 3

It's ok for him to switch back and forth from one hand to the other, but don't put tooo much pressure on him about the writing thing. I couldn't get mydaughter to write her name before kindergarten, and I made sure to tell the teacher that I was having a hard time with it, and she explained to me that the reason she wanted them to learn this before they started school, was to make her job easier. So that they were a little bit ahead of where they needed to be, which I thought was a pretty crappy excuse.
Have you tried writing the letters of his name and having him trace over them? And instead of having him sit there for a very long time, do it with it him a couple of times a day, so he doesn't feel pressure and will relax a little and maybe even concentrate better. Hope this helps you a little!

Answer 4

A lot of school districts have that rule-that kids must write their name before k-garten. Just another "no child left behind" mistake. I have a son who will turn 6 in July. He still has trouble writing his name. Just work with your son over summer on writing his name, and sitting still.

When it comes time for the screening remember-its only a recommendation. If you want them to both go to k-garten then tell them that. They spend 3 hours with the people during K-garten screening. Some kids dont do well on the screening and others do great.

Answer 5

I've always read that it is bad to pressure your kid into learning things like reading, writing. You should support him if he shows interest but not push him if he doesn't. If he's not interested then that probably means he is not ready for school. If he is hyper that is another reason why he's not interested in learning either. You should talk to his pedi and see what the best treatment for him would be. If he is treated for that then he will probably be ready for kindergarten. You should also try at a time when he is winding down like before bedtime or after a bath. If you try to show him in the middle of the day he probably has lots of energy he needs to burn off before concentrating on somethng like writing. Good luck!

Answer 6

why does he have to know these things before he goes to school? give him time. he must not be ready to learn them yet. he's not ready to use one hand over the other. girls develop faster than boys, so don't compare him to his sister, even though they are twins. I'm sure that both will be allowed to attend school. the testing is for placement, not to turn anyone away.

Answer 7

Clear off the table, pour colored sand on it, have him write his name with his finger in the sand.

Fill a large baggie with whiped or shaving cream, he can write letters with his finger in the cream through the baggie.

(just some fun practice)

Answer 8

They sell books that teach the shapes of letters and numbers. You can find them at anybook store or dept. store. Don't pressure him into doing all of the letters at once. He'll catch on. Besides i don't see why they can't help him at school if he doesn't know it by then.

Answer 9

dont worry he willl get his practice in kg